Deciding Between Refrigerator Repair and Replacement

Posted on Sep 4, 2014 12:30pm PDT

Depending on the age, type, and efficiency of your refrigerator, it may
be more economical to schedule refrigerator repair rather than replacing
the unit altogether. For quality Mayfair and
GE Refrigerator repair in Birmingham, contact Holloway Appliance Repair of Birmingham. If you are unsure whether
to replace or repair your refrigerator, here are some tips that will help
you decide.

AgeRefrigerators typically last somewhere between 10 and 20 years. The older
your refrigerator is, the more likely it is that repairing it will be
expensive. If your refrigerator is older than 15 years, it should probably
be replaced. And if your refrigerator is eight years old or less, it should
probably be repaired. If your refrigerator is between eight and 15 years
old, consider the type of refrigerator, its efficiency, and your desire
to get a new refrigerator to help you decide whether it should be repaired
or replaced.

TypeSome refrigerators can be very costly to repair. In fact, Consumer Reports
found that built-in refrigerators are typically less expensive to repair,
while side-by-side refrigerators are more expensive to repair. If your
side-by-side refrigerator is more than five year old, it might need to
be replaced. Bottom freezers that are malfunctioning should be repaired
if they are seven years old or less, or replaced if they are older. Failing
top freezers should be replaced if they are over seven years old.

EfficiencyAccording to Energy Star, a 10-year old refrigerator uses twice the energy
of a new Energy-Star certified refrigerator. If your old refrigerator
is inefficient, investing in a new Energy Star refrigerator can save you
money on your energy bills. If you are considering refrigerator replacement, keep in mind that manual-defrost units and units with top-mounted freezers
are more efficient than their counterparts.

OverallAssess the amount of damage on your current refrigerator. If there are
several damaged parts, it may be a better idea to replace the unit. If
your faulty refrigerator is under warranty coverage, make a claim before
replacing it, because you might be able to get it repaired for free.